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HOW WOULD YOU FIX VIDEO REPLAY:

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I would put an extra official in a box upstairs and give them the ability to review all scoring plays. The upstairs official could call of a goal if there was any infraction (handpass/offside/high stick/goaltender interference) within 15 seconds of the goal. That would get rid of the really bad offside reviews that happen when a goal is scored after 30 seconds of zone time and it also would keep reviews relatively short. Usually it only takes a few looks on a big monitor for us at home to get it right. It would help that the refs on the ice would no longer be watching things on a tablet. I would then give each coach one challenge for non-goals. They could ask for a review of high-sticking penalties, puck over glass, major penalties. Bang, I just fixed the NHL.

Ian Sheppard:

I would first and foremost eliminate the ability to challenge an offsides call. Nine times out of ten the play is reversed or missed on a call that had no impact on the original play. I don’t want to see the game slowed down a bunch with reviews but there are a few calls that should be reviewed.

Goaltender interference and hand passes for example should be reviewable but the issue for me in today’s NHL is when the play is reviewed its often gotten wrong, which makes the reviewing process redundant.

Wyatt Zieger:

Things get missed on ice level, obviously.

Immediately I put an eye in the sky to fix that issue. It makes sense to have a veteran official watching the game from above with a headset on that can talk to the on ice officials and let them know what needs to be reviewed.

It would speed up the game and ultimately avoid the situations we’ve seen from these playoffs. The last thing the NHL needs is more missed calls and slower games.

DOUBLING DOWN ON ANYONE THE REST OF THE WAY

Tyler Yaremchuk:

If I was a betting man, oh wait I am, then I would doubledown on the Bruins right now. I think the Sharks/Blues will beat the crap out of each other and go seven games while the Bruins rest up from their first 17 games of the playoffs. Tuuka Rask looks nearly unbeatable right now as well. The Bruins will win the Stanley Cup. Book it.

Ian Sheppard:

I would have said the Sharks a week ago as I’ve been riding them through most of the playoffs. They’ve also been getting lucky with the officials. But Boston looks very hot right now as they await an opponent for the Stanley Cup Final. I guess I’d say I’d double down on San Jose but it will be very hard should they make to the Cup Final.

Wyatt Zieger:

I’d rather sound boring than stupid so i’ll say the Bruins as well.

Last week I said out of the 4 teams left they were my cup favourite and I’ve seen nothing to this point to change my mind. Boston dismantled the feel good story Hurricanes and will have time to recuperate before taking on the Sharks or Blues. Special teams and goaltending have been the story for bean town and since I’ve been a young lad that’s what its taken to win the cup.

WHATS YOUR HIGHLIGHT OF THESE PLAYOFFS SO FAR

Tyler Yaremchuk:

My absolute favourite moment thus far was the game one comeback by the Columbus Blue Jackets in their series against Tampa Bay. I’m a big Blue Jackets supporter and when they pulled that off I said “they can lose four straight and I’ll be happy”. That one win had me so fired up. Instead, they went to the second round and played a great series against the Bruins. It was finally a fun year to be a #5thLine supporter.

Ian Sheppard:

I know I called the Sharks out in the last question for getting lucky breaks. But they’re Game 7 comeback over Vegas was something to remember for a while. Sure they got a five-minute major they shouldn’t have to spark the come back. But a team rallying around its injured captain to find a way to win will always be special to me.

I will also give an honorary mention to the Colorado Avalanche eliminating the Flames in five games. But that’s just the bitter Oilers fan in me.

Wyatt Zieger:

It’s an easy one for me. Patrick Maroons game 7 double OT winner at home, in his hometown.

If you love hockey you’ve at one point dreamt of scoring that magnitude of a goal. Most players who play never come close to sniffing that moment and Maroon got to do it in front of his family and friends. A lot of people around these parts (Edm) still miss the energy Patty brought and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

The Friday Three – Playoff edition was last modified: May 18th, 2019 by Wyatt Zieger

It’s nut up or shut up for the Oil Kings as they face their first elimination game of the WHL Playoffs as they find themselves down 3-2 in the series against Prince Albert.

Ian Scott and Dylan Myskiw will get the starts in the most important game of the playoffs for these two teams so far.

Period 1

Four minutes into the game Edmonton have the only three shots on net and are controlling the play. Expected from a team playing at home in an elimination game.

Vince Loschiavo would take the first penalty of the game on an undisciplined slash after the whistle. During the penalty a Raider player would drag down Fyten behind the play. I’m literally watching the ref watch the play and no call. Guess we’re going to have another one of those games.

Edmonton would successfully kill off the penalty as we would head into the media timeout.

The Oil Kings would get on the board first after a Trey Fix-Wolansky shot would find its way through. He would get credited for the goal. Benjafield and Robertson would get the apples. All the hard work for Edmonton early finally pays off.

Raiders would get another opportunity on the powerplay after another undisciplined penalty by the Oil Kings. This time Trey Fix-Wolansky would go off for interference. Raiders would make them pay with a Aliaksei Protas top shelf snipe. 1-1 as the undisciplined pay is biting the Oil Kings.

Protas would continue his hot streak as he now has five goals in two games and put the Raiders up 2-1 on a drive to the net with 5:16 left in the first.

Edmonton would take their third penalty of the period as Wyatt McLeod would take a tripping penalty which looked like incidental contact to me.

The Raiders would score quickly as Noah Gregor would pick Myskiw’s corner again giving the Raiders a 3-1 lead.

Justin Nachbaur would take an interference penalty with 1:21 left and give the Oil Kings an opportunity to get back into the game.

We would go into the intermission with a 3-1 Raiders lead.

Period 2

Of course the referees skate out to a chorus of boos here in Rogers Place as we get ready for the second.

Pretty neutral second period so far 6 minutes in as both teams haven’t amounted to many chances. Perfect script for the Raiders who already have a two goal lead in their pocket.

Conner McDonald would take a rough penalty with about 11 minutes left to play in the second putting Prince Albert back on the powerplay. Yet again.

Trey Fix-Wolansky would have one of the nicest shifts I’ve ever seen laying the body all over the place and find himself wide open in front of the Raiders net for a short handed goal. Bringing the Oil Kings within one and injecting the crowd with energy.

Raiders would go to the powerplay again after another call against the Oil Kings. This time Fyten for goalie interference. Stripes aren’t making fans here in Edmonton.

Edmonton would kill it off as the Raiders can’t find anything going on the powerplay.

Aliaksei Protas walks in all alone on Myskiw and puts it upstairs giving the Raiders a 4-2 lead. Protas’s sixth goal in two games and second hat trick in two games as he has absolutely killed the Oil Kings.

Raiders will take a 4-2 lead going into the third as it’s not looking good for the Oil Kings with their season on the line.

Period 3

Do or die for the Oil Kings with the season on the line. 5 minutes into the third with nothing doing. Prince Albert takes a tripping penalty on a 2-on-1 putting Edmonton on the powerplay. A pretty much must score opportunity.

Edmonton would get a 5-on-3 powerplay opportunity after an amazing Josh Williams burst to the net. Only 37 seconds but it’s still huge.

Prince Albert would kill both off.

Things are coming full circle for Edmonton though as the pressure is leading to penalties. Less than a minute after killing it off the Raiders would go back to the penalty kill and once again successfully kill it off. Can’t say Edmonton isn’t getting their chances.

The Oil Kings would pull Myskiw with 1:45 left down by 2.

The Prince Albert Raiders would hold onto a 4-2 lead and become your WHL Eastern Conference Champions.

The Edmonton Oil Kings now hold the series in their hands going into Game 4. They can leave tonight with a 3-1 series lead and put the Prince Albert Raiders on the brink of elimination. Likewise on the other side the Raiders can win back home ice advantage with a win in Game 4. The pre-analysis of this series is long gone, it’s all about how each team plays. Who wants it more? We’ll see in Game 4.

Myskiw and Scott will get the nods in net as expected.

Period 1

Pretty slow start to the first period. Nothing doing until Andrei Pavlenko would take a hooking penalty five minutes in. We literally had no shots in the game until then. The Oil Kings were successfully able to kill off the penalty. Hopefully gaining some momentum themselves as they still have no shots on goal.

Edmonton would finally get on the shot clock 8 minutes in. As the Raiders are playing like a team in a must win game.

6 minutes left in a terribly officiated first period the Raiders are ahead in shots 9-3. However, we are still tied at 0.

All of Edmonton’s shots have been A+ scoring chances though but Scott has been up the challenge.

We’d go into the first intermission scoreless as Edmonton would close the shot clock gap a bit. Raiders still have the advantage though 9-6.

Period 2

Edmonton started the second period with a powerplay basically as Noah Gregor would take a minor quickly into the period. Nothing doing for the Oil Kings powerplay though.

The referees I’ve already mentioned once in this article aren’t calling anything and it’s getting out of hand. Somebody is going to get hurt. Everybody is running each other and getting dirty.

Edmonton would get the benefit of there finally being a call with a Jakob Brook cross checking minor. He would come out of the box and the Raiders would score right away basically. Brett Leason would give the Raiders the 1-0 lead.

Ethan Cap would take an interference penalty a couple minutes later putting the Raiders on the powerplay and a chance to extend their lead.

They would throw that chance away though with a Parker Kelly slashing penalty.

Neither team would capitalize with power plays in the period as the shot clock would be even with a minute left.

That would be all for the second. 1-0 Raiders.

Period 3

Prince Albert comes out of the intermission and lots one fairly quickly as Noah Gregor would give the Raiders a 2-0 advantage 2:13 into the third.

Complete bush league reffing on both ends tonight. Myskiw gets knocked over in his crease, he gets up then literally headlocks the guy. Somebody will get hurt tonight at this pace.

Edmonton does something! 6:06 left in the third and we have ourselves a hockey game. Wyatt McLeod would get credited with the goal, the apple goes to Quinn Benjafield.

The Raiders would hold off Edmonton 2-1 and tie the series 2-2 going back to Prince Alberta. That ends the absolutely worst referee performance I have ever seen in my life.

The series shifts to the Ice District in Edmonton as the Oil Kings will be the hosts for Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Championship. Edmonton was able to get the split on the road in Prince Albert which can only be seen as a huge win since Prince Albert only lost 4 times at home during the entire regular season. Dylan Myskiw and Ian Scott would get the starts in Game 3 as we expect those two will get the nod the entire series.

Period 1

No love lost between these two teams, a very physical first half of the first period. No penalties either as it looks like the refs are going to let them play, a couple of interference penalties that probably could have been called but alas. We are letting them play. Edmonton has had the majority of the good chances in the first half as they’ve controlled the play and have tested Ian Scott. Haven’t been able to find the back of the net yet as Scott has been up to the challenge. Edmonton would control much of the second half of the period as well as they would end up outshooting the Raiders 9-5 in the first period. Very good home period for the good guys, sadly not much to recap, however.

Period 2

Edmonton starts the second period all over the Raiders. Andrew Fyten literally looks like he got shot out of a cannon, throwing huge hits on the forecheck and beating everybody to the puck. A couple of shifts later the Oil Kings get rewarded as Vince Loschiavo walks in all alone and puts it past Ian Scott giving the Oil Kings a 1-0 lead. Quinn Benjafield and Trey Fix-Wolansky would get the apples. This would be the Oil Kings first lead of the series surprisingly.

Good things would keep happening for the Oil Kings as they would go on the powerplay after a Cole Fonstad holding penalty. The first penalty of the evening. Edmonton would get a couple of good shots on net but Scott would stand strong, killing off the penalty.

Seemed like killing off the penalty gave the Raiders some momentum as they would control the next 5 minutes of play, testing Myskiw. Myskiw would turn them away. That momentum would go away quickly those as Conner McDonald would rip it top shelf over Scott’s should after a slick cross-ice feed from Trey Fix-Wolansky, Vince Loschiavo would get the second assist. 2-0 Oil Kings, 10 minutes into the second period.

Vince Loschiavo would pile onto the lead 5 minutes later on the powerplay. Just watching this game, Trey Fix-Wolansky is by far the best player on the ice, he’s feeding everybody perfectly this evening. He would pick up his third assist of the night. Quinn Benjafield would pick up the second one as this goal would mirror the first one exactly. Huge period by the Oil Kings.

Matthew Robertson would keep the train rolling with a snipe from the slot going upstairs on Scott with 1:06 left in the second period. Andrei Pavlenko and Vladimir Alistrov would get the apples on this one as everybody is chipping in tonight.

Edmonton would literally get penalized 6 seconds later, a chance for the Raiders to gain some momentum going into the third period. They would do just that, however, it would have some controversy. Sean Montgomery would score with 0.2 seconds left on the clock, it would be reviewed but it would count. Raiders gain a bit of hope going into the third.

Period 3

As expected the Raiders come out of the intermission putting all the pressure on the Oil Kings. It’s almost as if they are playing like a team down by three goals. Edmonton basically didn’t leave their zone for the first 8 minutes of the period. Both teams would trade powerplays but neither team would be successful. A very “boring” period of hockey as both teams seem to be playing for the clock to hit zeroes. Edmonton would get the crowd out of their seats though with a Josh Williams goal assisted by Jake Neighbours and Andrew Fyten. 5-1 Edmonton. Nice picture of the boys celebrating the goal taken by Spencer Love who had to take my spot at the game.

The Oil Kings would obviously hold on and defeat the Raiders 5-1 taking a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Championship, putting them 2 wins away from the WHL Finals. We’ll see you in Game 4, get your tickets at www.oilkings.ca and cheer on the boys from the Ice District!

The Edmonton Oil Kings gave the Prince Albert Raiders everything they could in Game 1. The Raiders who are the second-ranked team in the entire CHL held onto a 1 goal lead for roughly half of Game 1 and were able to get the win in a closely contested battle. We now head into Game 2 where the Oil Kings will be looking to take away home-ice advantage from the Raiders and bring the series back to Edmonton tied at 1’s. However, to do that, they will have to solve Ian Scott which hasn’t been easy for anybody these playoffs. The Raiders have allowed 16 goals in 11 games and 6 of those goals came in one game. Scott and Myskiw will get the starts in Game 2 as it’s expected to be that way for the remainder of the series.

Period 1

Once again we have a sold-out barn in Prince Albert as it’s standing room only in the Art Hauser Centre.

Noah Gregor would open the scoring for the Raiders as he would score his fifth goal of the postseason only 3:29 into the game. Edmonton hasn’t exactly been playing bad early, Gregor just walked in and wristed one by Myskiw. I imagine Myskiw would’ve liked that one back.

Prince Albert would add another one off a 2-on-2 rush. Jakob Brook would find Justin Nachbaur all by himself on the right side of the net and he’d rip it by Myskiw giving the Raiders a 2-0 lead 6:55 into Game 2.

Edmonton would catch a break as Sean Montgomery would take a holding penalty with 7:47 left in the first period, giving the Oil Kings a chance to get back into this game. Loschiavo would get absolutely robbed by a sprawling Scott on a one-timer from “Ovechkin’s” spot. Finally, Matthew Robertson would get the Oil Kings on the board in this series as he would simply throw a wrist shot on net from the point that would find a way through.

The Oil Kings would get another opportunity on the powerplay as Jeremy Masella would take down Andrew Fyten in front of the net. Andrew Fyten would get the last laugh though as he would tip in a Matthew Robertson point shot tying the game with 29 seconds left in the first period. Only 30 seconds left in the second, that would be the end of all the action. Edmonton would have a shot clock advantage of 10-8 and would fight from two down to tie the game before the end of the first.

Period 2

The Oil Kings who are currently 2-for-2 on the powerplay would get another chance as Josh Williams would get dragged down on a partial breakaway. Spencer Moe would go to the box for hooking, even though it was a pretty blatant trip. A couple of good shots on net, but nothing doing for the Oil Kings on this powerplay as they fall to 2-for-3 on the night. The two teams would trade back and forth penalties with powerplays that didn’t amount to anything as the second period has been pretty back and forth in the neutral zone.

Not much to talk about in this period, it’s hard to write a recap when no goals happen! Prince Alberta and Edmonton would skate a back and forth period with no real scoring opportunities. Myskiw had to make a desperation save on a deflected shot with 30.3 seconds left in the period, but other than that he really wasn’t tested.

Period 3

Successful road game so far by the Oil Kings, they have to be happy with how they’ve played in both games on the road against the Raiders. They’ll have to pot another one though if they want to go back home with the series tied.

Ian Scott would start the third period off with a bang as he would rob Trey Fix-Wolansky on a 2-on-0. He would push across and rob Trey on the one-timer. A couple of minutes later he would stop Jake Neighbours on a partial breakaway. He’s been the difference maker so far as Edmonton has poured it on to begin the third.

The Raiders would be the team to find the board first in the third period as Aliaksei Protas would pot his fifth of the postseason and give the Raiders a 3-2 lead 2:47 into the third period. Despite being outplayed most of the game, the Raiders are in the lead.

Just what Edmonton needed, Trey Fix-Wolansky finds the back of the net 5:38 into the third period as he takes a feed from McDonald and puts it low blocker on Ian Scott tying the game. Edmonton needed Trey to make his mark on this series and he did it earlier than he did against Medicine Hat.

Both teams would go back and forth but we would still be tied with 3:07 left in the game. Feels a lot like whoever scores next is going to win the game, basically overtime right now. We would end the third period tied at 3 and we would be going to overtime. Free hockey for everybody!

Overtime

Edmonton would come into overtime playing their 4th overtime game of the postseason, they currently are 3-0 in the previous 3 games. Prince Albert has not played in an overtime game yet this postseason. Edmonton will have the experience advantage in this one.

Good chances on both ends so far as Myskiw stops a Raider literally right on the doorstep as he was all alone. Edmonton would now be in it’s longest game of the postseason as all the previous overtimes ended before the 3:30 mark.

The Oil Kings do it! Jake Neighbours goes upstairs on Scott from the leftwing boards. Edmonton leaves Prince Albert with the split that they needed. We’ll see you in Ice District for Games 3 & 4. You can get your tickets at www.oilkings.ca!

On day four of the AJHL playoffs, the North Division side of the bracket is now complete for the first round series with the Drayton Valley Thunder and Grande Prairie Storm biting the dust with both teams losing their series 3-1. However, in the southern part of the province, we’ll have two game five matchups to decide the winners of each series on Wednesday night and who faces either the Brooks Bandits or Okotoks Oilers.

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